Music holder for marching bandsmen



A ril 1, 1958 c. M. FISMEN MUSIC HOLDER FOR MARCHING BANDSMEN Filed March 18, 1957 INVENTOR.

United States Patent O MUSIC HOLDER FOR MARCHING BANDSMEN Clifiord M. Fismen, Morehead, Minn.

Application March 18, 1957, Serial No. 646,686

5 Claims. (Cl. 4559) This invention relates to sheet music holders for supporting music on an arm of a marching bandsman so that the bandsman may read the music with his eyes maintained substantially on the line of march or on the surface of an athletic field, and in particular a bar having spaced openings for receiving a music holder therein with a spring clip on one end of the bar that is formed to be positioned around the wrist with the bar on the forearm of the bandsman and with a strap secured to the opposite end of the bar and positioned to extend around the upper or larger portion of the forearm.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for supporting sheet music whereby marching bandsmen and particularly bandsmen performing gyrations and executing formations, such as on an athletic field, may readily read the music without materially removing their eyes from the line of march or surface of the field.

In numerous instances, such as marching in a parade, or in executing formations or gyrations on a football field it is difficult for bandsmen to read the music and keep their eyes on the line of march at the same time, and although different types of music holders have been used on instruments and arms of bandsmen it is necessary for the bandsmen to bend over to read the music, and in doing so their eyes are removed from the paving or field.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates an improved music holder that is secured in position on the forearm of a bandsman and which supports the music in a convenient position for reading as the bandsman continues marching or executing gyrations and the like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a music holder that is formed to be secured on the forearm of a musician and that is designed to support the music so that it may readily be observed without materially removing the eyes of the musician from the line of march.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder for supporting sheet music on the forearm of a bandsman in which the holder is rigidly secured in position on the forearm.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a holder for supporting sheet music in which the music supporting element of the device is readily adjustable on the holder.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a sheet music holder to be positioned on the forearm of a bandsman in which the holder is readily installed on the forearm and also readily removed therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for supporting sheet music on the forearm of a bandsman in which the music may readily be turned from one page to another.

A still further object is to provide a sheet music holder for a bandsman whereby the music is so positioned that the bandsman can view the music and marching route simultaneously so that it is not necessary for the bandsman to lose his place on the music or stumble over an obstruction in the path of the marching route.

7 2,828,576 Patented Apr. 1-, 1958 And a still further object is to provide a holder for supporting sheet music on the forearm of a bandsman in which the holder is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a bar having spaced threaded openings therein with a spring clip 011 one end positioned to extend around a wrist of a bandsman on the forearm of whom the bar is positioned, and with a strap on the opposite end of the bar and positioned to extend around the upper or larger part of the forearm, and a bracket having a music holding spring clip thereon threaded in one of the threaded openings of the bar and secured in the opening by a locknut.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the position of the improved music holder on the forearm of a bandsman, the arm being shown in broken lines, and also showing a flute, part of which is broken away, in the hand from which the forearm extends.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sheet music holder taken from a point substantially 45 from that of the illustration shown in Figure l, and with-the representation of the arm omitted.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above referred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration, and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention, it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it maybe found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, and in the following specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout, and in which the numeral 10 refers to the invention in its entirely, numeral 12 indicating a bar having spaced threaded openings 14 therein, numeral 16 a spring clip secured, such as by welding, as shown at the point 18, to one end of the bar, numeral 20 a cross bar having a strap 22 with a buckle 24 and a clasp or hook 26 therein, secured, also such as by welding, as shown at the point 28, to the opposite end of the bar, and numeral 30 a post having a harp-shaped bracket or lyre 32 with a spring clip 34 thereon on the upper end and positioned with the lower end, on which threads are provided, threaded into one of the openings 14 of the bar.

The ends of the spring clip 16 are coated with rubber, canvas, or other suitable resilient material, as indicated by the numerals 36 and 38, to prevent sharp edges thereof scratching the skin of a bandsman.

The lower threaded end of the post 30 is provided with a lock nut 40 for securing the post in one of the openings 14. By this means the music holding elements may be adjusted to different positions on the bar 12 to facilitate reading the music and depending upon the instrument used by the bandsman.

The spring clip 34 is provided with arms 42 and 44 which extend from a back 46, and the back 46, from which a thumb rest 48 extends is provided with end flanges 50 that are pivotally mounted by pins 52 on lugs 54 and 56 that extend from the bracket 32, as shown in Figure 2.

The ends of the strap 22 are secured to the cross bar 20 with rivets or fasteners; as indicated by the numerals 58 and 60.

The music holder of this invention may be carried in a conventional instrument case and when use thereof is desired it may be removed and positioned on the forearm of a bandsman with the strap 22 around the upper portion of the forearm and the spring clip 16 around the wrist. Sheet music is held against the bracket 32 by the spring clip 34 and the post 30 is threaded into one of the openings 14 depending'upon the eyes of the bandsman, type of instrument being played, or other conditions whereby the music is conveniently read by the musician. With the music supported in the bracket an instrument, such as the instrument 62 may be held in the same hand, if desired.

From the foregoing specification, it will ecome apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering What it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear under standing of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be new and desired to be procured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A sheet music support comprising a bar, a music holder extended upwardly from the bar, and bands on ends of the bar positioned to extend around the wrist and forearm of a musician for retaining the bar in position on the forearm of the musician.

2. A music holder comprising a bar having a spring clip on one end and a strap on the other, the spring clip being formed to extend around the wrist with the bar 4 on the forearm of an individual and the strap being positioned to extend around the upper part of the forearm, and a sheet music holder extended upwardly from the bar. 3. A music holder comprising a bar having a spring clip on one end and a strap on the other, the spring clip being formed to extend around the wrist with the bar on the forearm of a person and the strap being positioned to extend around the upper-portion of the forearm, said bar having spaced threaded openings therein, a post thread-ed in one of the openings of the bar, and a sheet music retaining spring clip on the upper end of the post. 4. In a music holder, the combination which comprises a bar having spaced threaded openings therein, said bar being formed to be positioned on the forearm of a musieian, a spring clip on one end of the bar for holding the bar on the Wrist of the musician, a strap on the opposite end of the bar for holding the bar on the upper part of the forearm of the musician, a post having a bracket on the upper end threaded in one of the openings of the bar, and a music holding spring clip positioned on the bracket.

5. In a music holder for marching bandsmen, the combination which comprises a bar having spaced threaded openings therein, a wrist engaging spring clip on one end of the bar, a strap on the opposite end of the bar positioned to extend around the upper portion of a forearm of a bandsman with the bar on the forearm, a post threaded in one of the openings of the bar, a lock nut on the post for securing the post in position on the bar, a harp-shaped bracket positioned on the upper end of the post, and a spring clip mounted on the bracket and positioned to clamp sheet music against the bracket with the music extended upwardly therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 473,200 Streeter Apr. 19, 1892 1,158,208 Hart Oct. 26, 1915 1,495,131 Griihth May 20, 1924 1,583,596 Lacklen May 4, 1926 1,649,217 Eshleman Nov. 15, 1927 1,675,834 Young July 3, 1928 

